How to Look Up an LLC in Louisiana (2026)
To look up an LLC in Louisiana, search the Secretary of State's business database. The office runs a lookup tool that covers every LLC, corporation and trade name filed in the state. Type in a business name, a charter number or an agent's name, and the tool returns the matching filings.
The steps below cover every path into the state's records, including how to reach the Secretary of State's office directly and how to check whether a name runs into a trademark problem before you use it.
Quick Summary
- Look up an LLC using the state's Commercial Search tool, filtering by entity name, charter number or agent name.
- The search tool is free to use and does not require an account or login.
- Call the Commercial Division directly if the online results don't answer your question.
| Search Method | What to Enter | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Entity Name | All or part of the business name | General lookups when you only know the name |
| Charter, Trade Registration or Name Reservation Number | The exact number the state assigned | When you already have the number |
| Officer Name or Agent Name | The officer's or registered agent's name | Searching by a specific person or agent |
How to Search for an LLC in Louisiana
The Commercial Search tool, run by the Louisiana Secretary of State, is where an LLC lookup starts, and it works the same way whether you're checking your own filing or someone else's.
Here's how to search it:
- Open the Commercial Search page and pick a search type: Entity Name, Charter Number/Trade Registration Number/Name Reservation Number or Officer Name/Agent Name.
- Enter what you know and submit the search.
- Review the results list to see whether the name is already on file.
- If nothing turns up, the name isn't on file yet.
Search by Entity Name
Start here if you know all or part of the business name. Enter as much of it as you know.
Search by Charter, Trade Registration or Name Reservation Number
If you already hold one of these numbers, enter it directly to search for that specific filing. That's a direct route when you're checking a company you've already dealt with before.
Search by Officer or Agent Name
Use this option to search by a specific officer's name or a Louisiana registered agent's name. It works well for due diligence on a person as much as on a company.
Contact the Secretary of State's Office
Call the Commercial Division
If the online tool doesn't answer your question, call the Commercial Division directly at 225-925-4704, or reach the main Secretary of State's office at 225-922-2880 for anything outside business filings.
Reserve a Name Before You File
If you've found an open name and want to lock it in before you're ready to file, submit the Form #398 name reservation form by fax or mail with a check or money order. The $25 fee holds the name for 120 days. This fee is scheduled to rise on October 1, 2026 under Act 921 of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session [1].
Mail or Fax the Commercial Division
Mail and fax correspondence go to P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125, or the physical office at 8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809.
Use geauxBIZ to Reach the Office Online
geauxBIZ is the state's newer portal for registering a business, filing annual reports and checking name availability. It's a second, official way to confirm a name is open, separate from Commercial Search.
Check for Trademark Conflicts and Other Reasons to Search
Checking a name at the Secretary of State only confirms it isn't already an entity or trade name on file. It doesn't rule out a trademark conflict, so run a separate check before you commit to a name.
Search the Federal Trademark Database
Search the USPTO's trademark search tool to check whether the name you want is already registered or pending at the federal level.
Search State-Level Trade Names and Marks
Louisiana also lets you reserve a trade name, trademark or service mark directly through the Secretary of State. Run the same Commercial Search you already used for the entity check to see if a similar mark is already on file.
Talk to a Trademark Attorney
State and federal trademark rules overlap in ways that trip people up. An attorney can walk you through both searches and flag a conflict before it becomes an expensive problem.
Other Reasons to Search
Checking name availability is the main reason to search, but a lookup answers other questions too. Use it to:
- Confirm whether an LLC is still on file with the state.
- Search by a company's registered agent using the Officer/Agent filter.
- Check a business before signing a contract or closing a deal with it.
- Search a competitor's name to see whether it's registered in Louisiana.
A lookup search also comes up before other filing decisions. It helps if you're ready to start an LLC in Louisiana or want to know how long it takes to form an LLC in Louisiana.
It's also useful if you're comparing the best LLC formation services in Louisiana or checking how much an LLC costs in Louisiana.
If you're closing the business instead, start with dissolving an LLC in Louisiana. For a company registered outside the state, our guide to looking up an LLC covers the same process nationwide.
FAQs
Can I Reserve an LLC Name Online in Louisiana?
No, Louisiana does not offer online name reservation. You reserve a name by mailing or faxing a name reservation form with a check or money order, and paying the $25 filing fee holds your name for 120 days.
What's the Difference Between a Trade Name and an LLC's Legal Name in Louisiana?
A trade name in Louisiana identifies a business without changing the LLC's legal name on file, and it can conflict with an existing LLC or corporation name. A DBA works differently: it's filed with the parish Clerk of Court instead of the Secretary of State.
Is There a Fee to Search for an LLC in Louisiana?
No, Louisiana does not charge a fee to search for an LLC. The Commercial Search database is free, and you don't need an account to use it. Fees only apply if you reserve a name or order copies of filed documents.
Does the Secretary of State's Search Cover Trademarks?
No, the Secretary of State's search does not cover trademarks on its own. Pair it with a USPTO search to check for federal trademark conflicts too.
References:
- https://www.sos.la.gov/business-services/contact-us
